Mt. Fuji World Heritage Centre, Shizuoka

What it is

The Shizuoka Prefectural Mt. Fuji World Heritage Centre opened in December 2017 as the hub for preserving and passing on the World Cultural Heritage site Fujisan, sacred place and source of artistic inspiration. It stands in the city of Fujinomiya, right beside Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha shrine. Designed by the architect Shigeru Ban, its landmark is an inverted-cone exhibition hall wrapped in a lattice of Japanese cypress grown in the prefecture. When the building is mirrored in the pool in front of it, the reflection looks like an upside-down Mount Fuji, and the sight has become one of the images that define Fujinomiya.

Highlights

The heart of the building is a ramp roughly 193 m long that spirals up the inside of the exhibition hall. Time-lapse footage of a Mount Fuji ascent plays across the walls as you walk, so you trace the whole route from the shoreline at sea level up to the summit. The displays are built around themes such as the mountain of pilgrimage, the raging mountain, the sacred mountain, the beautiful mountain, the nurturing mountain and the mountain we hand on, covering the history of worship, records of eruptions, Mount Fuji as painted by artists, and the blessings of its spring water.

Making the most of it

At the top of the ramp, the observation hall on the highest floor opens onto the real Mount Fuji beyond the windows. The visit is designed so that you meet the actual mountain after following the climb on screen, so it is worth leaving yourself enough time before you go up. From autumn into winter the air is at its clearest, and mornings in that season often bring good views. The observation hall also has a cafe where you can rest while taking in the scenery. Combine it with the neighbouring Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha and you have a walk of about half a day.

Admission and time needed

As of 2026, admission to the permanent exhibition is 500 yen for adults and 400 yen per person for groups of 20 or more. Children under 15, visitors aged 70 and over, students from junior high school age upwards (on presentation of a student ID), and visitors with a disability together with one carer are admitted free. Allow around 60 to 90 minutes. Opening hours are 9:00 to 17:00 (until 18:00 in July and August), with last admission 30 minutes before closing. The centre is closed on the third Tuesday of each month, on facility inspection days and at the end of the year. Special exhibitions may carry a separate charge, so please check the official website for details.

Getting there from our hotel

Our hotel is in Fuji City near the Fuji interchange of the Tomei Expressway, about 15 to 20 minutes by car heading towards Fujinomiya. The centre has no car park for visitors, so please use the paid Kandagawa tourist car park in Fujinomiya, about 2 minutes away on foot. By train, it is roughly an 8-minute walk from Fujinomiya Station on the JR Minobu Line.